Heading off to College?

Are you heading or sending someone off to college soon? It’s the time of year when parents take the giant leap of sending their kids away to college, often for an extended period away from home for the very first time. I just dropped my 13 year old son off at summer camp for his first adventure away from home. I can only imagine what it will be like when he leaves for college! As an organizer here are a few tips to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Clean your room at home before you go! This will give you a handle on what you already have. Go through your stuff before going out and buying supplies and clothing. You can find so many great things tucked away in drawers and closets. Save some money and take a good look at what you can use that you already own!

Know what the room your moving into will look like and what storage is available. Can you bring a few decorative items so it will feel more like home or is there such limited space that anything extra than the bare minimum will feel cluttered.

A computer/laptop is a must have for most students. Protect your computer against viruses, spyware and identity theft with the right software. Doing the homework before problems arise can make all the difference.

Finally, always remember, if you keep too much, you can’t find what’s really important. This is especially true in a tiny dorm room. Live as simple and streamlined as possible!

Monica Friel is president and founder of Chaos to Order. Monica manages and trains a staff of professional organizers who specialize in everything from household clutter to corporate chaos. She also represents brands and speaks publicly as an expert in the field of organizing.
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